Thursday, July 21, 2011

Portugal - Castro Verde - Villa Read de Santo Antonio.

Eucalyptus trees lining the open roads were such a thrill, their lovely fresh smell took us back home as we drove along. Why are there so many Gum Trees in Portugal we wonder.
From Wiki:- In continental Portugal, the Azores and Galicia numerous oak forests have been replaced with eucalyptus, which are farmed for pulpwood, with severe effects on wildlife.

A roadside water fountain and picnic area.

Rain, rain, rain with the streets of Alcacer do Sal flooded by the River Sado.

Crossing the very full River Sado.

Near Castro Verde poor 'Tabitha' sprung a leak in her rusty fuel tank, we limped into the nearest village which was Castro Verde where with much amazement and amusement a couple of mechanics repaired her. (London Taxi's weren't a regular sight in this little Village.) We paid 50 escudo and a carton of British Cigarettes (David was a smoker back then) and were on our way.

We continued south heading towards the Mediterranean and to Vila Real de Santo Antonio to a Car Ferry across the Guadiana River to Ayamonte in Spain, it was the only way to cross the border back then.

Only four cars fit on the Ferry and across the boat instead along. I notice the car beside us is from the Netherlands then the one beside it is from Britain. A bridge a little to the north of the below picture was built in 1991 so is now the only way to cross the river, this car ferry having long gone.

No comments:

Click here for Photos we took of Sydney-1968

In the beginning.

This is a multi level love story, the love between Pennie and David, their love of a 1958 London Taxi, their love of the United Kingdom and the realization of our love of Australia, our home. We never thought about the love of our country, the country we were born in, the country of our roots... until we left it.

David and Pennie met in 1965 at ‘Wollogorang’ a sheep station just south of Goulburn, NSW. David was a Jackaroo and Pennie, who was working at the Homestead, is the Great niece of Nancy and John Watson owners of ‘Wollogorang’. We were ‘just good friends’ and along with a number of other friends we wanted to rock’n’roll and we wanted to see the world.Pennie went to Perth first, then Queensland, David went to New Zealand and then to England. This is the story of what happened after 22 months since meeting and more than eighty letters later.

‘Why don’t you come over and we’ll get married or something?‘

This was David’s proposal in early April 1968, he’d been living and working in Surrey and Sussex for a few months and wanted to start seeing England, Europe and the World and thought it would be much more fun if he had his best friend join him. Our parents were supportive so the rush was on for me to organize a flight, a passport, an International Drivers Licence and update the necessary inoculations

On the first of June, I ‘came over’ and we were married at Guildford Registry Office, Surrey on the 8th with seven guests none of whom I knew and I hadn’t seen David for 7 months.

What happened in 1968

. Vietnam War.. Students Riot in Paris.. Robert Kennedy shot.. Martin Luther King shot.. Kray Twins arrested.. Alec Rose, single handed 354 day trip around the world.. Black Power Salute seen on TV from Medal Ceremony at Olympic Games in Mexio.. London Bridge is sold to an American.. Aristotle Onassis and Jacqueline Kennedy marry.. Pope Paul VI bans contraceptive pill.. Dr Christian Barnard performs the first successful heart transplant.. Spain and Gibraltar border is closed.. Boeing 747 made its maiden flight.

Pop Culture in 1968

. The Beatles create Apple Records.. 'Hey Jude' first single on label.. The Musical 'Hair' opens in London.Movies. The Graduate. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Bonnie and Clyde. The Odd Couple. Planet of the ApesMusicians. The Beatles. The Rolling Stones. The Supremes

1969. Beatles give their final performance on the roof of Apple Records.. John Lennon and Yoko Ono conduct a Bed-In in Montreal.. Woodstock attracts more than 350,000 rock'n'roll fans.. Bell bottom jeans and tie-dyed shirts become part of fashion.. Sesame Street debuts.

1970. Paul McCartney announces that the Beatles have disbanded.. The Isle of Wight Festival takes place 600,000 people attend.. Jimi Hendrix dies of barbiturate overdose in London.. Janis Joplin dies of heroin overdose in a cheap motel.

About Me

Married to David, who I met at my Great Aunt and Uncle's property 'Wollogorang' 53 years ago. Four Wonderful Children - two girls and two boys, Four Fantastic Partners - three girls and one boy and Eight very very beautiful Grandchildren - five boys and three girls.